One of the things I try to do with my writing is try to evoke the spirit of the place. I think these things imprint on the landscape and the culture. Sarah Hall cultureevokeimprint Change image and share on social
Show, don't tell, is a mantra repeated by tutors of creative writing courses the world over. As advice for amateurs, it is sound and helps avoid character profiling, unactivated scenes, and broken narrative frames. Sarah Hall adviceamateuravoid share on social
Fear is a relative thing; its effects are relative to power. Sarah Hall effectfearpower Change image and share on social
Language description and metaphors seem readily available. The things I have to work harder at are plot, pacing, and form. Sarah Hall descriptionformhard Change image and share on social
Over the years, I've lived in a variety of places, including America, but I was born and raised in the Lake District, in Cumbria. Growing up in that rural, sodden, mountainous county has shaped my brain, perhaps even my temperament. Sarah Hall americabearbrain share on social
I studied the short story as part of my creative writing course at university but then set off as a novelist. Generally, there is a sense that even if you want to write short stories, you need to do a novel first. Sarah Hall creativegenerallynovelist share on social
James Salter has talents on the page we novelists would sell souls to the devil for. Sarah Hall deviljamenovelist Change image and share on social
Writing, and its theatre of operation, is better than working shifts packing frozen sausages; that's all I need to think about if I'm having difficulties. Sarah Hall difficultyfreezeoperation Change image and share on social
It's a lovely feeling, just working away at the desk, putting words down, building words up... I think you have to be aware that what you're doing is not just a private act, it's a societal thing. Sarah Hall actawarebuild Change image and share on social
